Vaginal diaphragm



Feb. 18, 1958 E. KuNNAs, 'JR 2,823,669

VAGINAL DIAPHRAGM F-iled July 20, 1956 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVEN-roR Epic Ifzznnas l BY Feb. 18, 1958 E. KuNNAs, JR 2,823,669

` VAGINAL DIAPHRAGM Filed July 2o, 195e 2 sheets-sheet 2"' INVENToR g Encl Kaunas f" ATTOR Unit@ 2,823,669 vAGmAL DIAPHRAGM Application July Z0, 1956, Serial No. 599,171 4 Claims. (Cl. 12S-127) The present invention is concerned with vaginal diaphragms.

It is among the objects of the invention to provide a vaginal diaphragm which requires no welding, soldering, stapling or like permanent connection between component parts, the rim of which forms a bow-bend when manipulated, for facility of insertion by the -unaided patient or user without the use of an instrument, and without any disconcerting clicking sound, which is not likely to become displaced and can readily be dislodged when desired by the unaided patient or user and which diaphragm can readily be washed and admits of repeated use and re-use without impairment of its efficiency.

Another object is to provide a vaginal diaphragm of the above type in which an endless annular coil spring structure is freely rotatable about its axis as a mandrel for facility in rolling the latex dipped diaphragm cup thereover prior to vulcanization and in which enhanced ilexibility at diametrically opposite points to assure the bowbend is effected by a composite inner ring encompassed by the mandrel, which is freely rotatable over the inner ring for rolling the rim of the cup thereon prior to vulcanization.

In the accompanying drawings in which is shown one of various possible embodiments of the several features of the invention. 1

Fig. l is a plan view of the vaginal diaphragm with parts shown in longitudinal cross-section,

Fig. 2 is a transverse sectional view taken on line 2-2 of Fig. 1,

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary view of the encompassing spring as an article of manufacture apart from the diaphragm,

Fig. 4 is a plan View partly in section, showing the composite inner ring of the rim, preparatory to assembly thereon of the encompassing spring of Fig. 3,

Fig. 5 is a cross-sectional view showing the connection between the ends of the encompassing spring to eiiect the endless free-wheeling mandrel about which the rimof the latex cup is rolled,

Fig. 6 is a perspective view showing the folding of the diaphragm preparatory to insertion,

Fig. 7 is a diagrammatic sectional view showing the diaphragm in the act of being inserted, and

Fig. 8 is a similar View showing the diaphragm in place.

Referring now to the accompanying drawings, the diaphragm is generally of the type involving a dipped latex cup 10 having an annular wire rim R conformed as a mandrel about which the extended skirt 11 ofv the dipped latex cup is rolled. The annular mandrel is preferably a coil spring 12 of length corresponding to the periphery of the rim and in which the turns are spaced from each other, as shown. The end turns at opposite ends of the coil spring 12 are secured together, preferably by interthreading, as best shown in Fig. 5, that is, approximately three convolutions 13 of the right extremity of the coil spring are threaded between the corresponding convolutions 14 at the left extremity of the coil spring. To this end the spring is twisted in reverse direction for the number of States aten,

r'ice turns required for the interlock, so that when the interlock is completed, the endless annular spring r' thus formed will be under no skewing stress and will lie substantially fiat or in a single plane.

In the construction thus far described which is not claimed per se, the dipped latex skirt 11 can readily be rolled over themandrel spring 12 which rotates freely about its axis, thereby to form the rim of the finished article after the latex has been vulcanized.

According to the present invention, a composite inner ring r2 of spring metal is housed within the mandrel spring r'. That `composite inner ring is relatively stili for the major portion of its periphery and has considerable flexibility at diametrically opposite portions which permit the folding for the desired bow-bend, preparatory to insertion of the diaphragm.

According to the present invention in its preferred embodiment, the composite inner ring r2 encompassed within the annular mandrel coil spring r comprises a pair of identical opposed relatively stiif arcuate wires 15 and 16, the corresponding ends of which are joined by a pair of coil spring connectors 17 and 18, each being a tight wound spring. Preferably the extremities of the arcuate wire members 15 and 16 are tapered as at t to a point which preferably is not very sharp. The inner diameter of each tight wound spring vconnector 17, 18 is preferably slightly less than the diameter of the arcuate wire member 15, 16 so that each tapered end t will slightly expand the extremities of the wire connector into which it is introduced, thereby effecting a secure frictional t. The wider or root end of the tapered extremity t protrudes slightly from the extremity of the spring connector into which the tapered extremity t fits. It 'will thus be apparent that the composite inner ring r2 (shown open in Fig. 4) will when closed, be relatively stiff along the lengths of the arcuate wire members 15 and 16 and quitey Flexible at the spring connections 17 and 18 between the tapered points t of the arcuate wire members that they connect. Accordingly when the middle of the arcuate wire members 15 and 16 are grasped and pressed together, the two arcuate wire members of the composite inner ring will'be substantially engaged throughout their lengths and the spring connectors 17 and 18 will bend into a U-shape. Thus the desired bow-bend is effected which facilitates insertion.

It will be clear that if the composite inner ring r2 of Fig. 4 is in place within the encompassing annular mandrel spring r', the bow-bend action of the assembly will be controlled by the localized flexibility of the spring connectors 17 and 18 of the composite inner ring, especially if the inter-threaded ends 13, 14 of the encompassing or mandrel spring 12 are angularly displaced therefrom, preferably about midway between the two spring connectors 17 and 18, so that the bend at the region of enhanced ilexibility determined by the spring connectors 17 and 13 is in nowise impeded.

In assembly, the composite inner ring r2, open as shown in Fig. 4, is threaded into the originally straight outer or encompassing mandrel spring 12, shown in Fig. 3, which becomes curved by reason of the curvature of therelatively stiff opposed arcuate wire members 15 and 16 of the composite inner ring r2. After the encompassing spring r has been passed for substantially its entire length over the open composite inner ring r', shown in Fig. ,4, the encompassing spring is coiled backward for approximately three turns, whereupon the composite inner ring r2 of Fig. 4 is closed by telescoping the tapered end t of the free arcuate wire member 16 into the end ofthe corresponding spring connector 18, whereupon two or three convolutions at one extremity of the outer or mandrel spring r' are screwed between the corresponding convolutions at the opposite extremityl of said spring, as best shown in Fig. 5, thereby producingihecompleteannular metal rim in desired at, non-skewed relation.

For practical purposes, each arcuate wire 15, 16 may .desirably extend through anxarcxof about'l50'degreesaand :each wireconnector 17 18 .throughzanarcziapproximate- 1y45 degrees in the assembled'structurep the tapered :ends t of each arcuate wire member15;16,being desirablyabout one-quarter. inch in length. f.Desi1al,-lyeachiof .they two tight wound spring. connectors 17;.andi18ahas anfinner diameter slightly less than thediarneteroffthe arcuate Wire members 15, 16-so that the;tapered.;ends lofrthe arcuate wire members will, -whenpresscd intoxtheA springsconnec- `tors17 and 18, expand the4 ends;of;thelatter:.slightly; and -aiford thedesired secureirictiongtt,.withthe root-endof `each tapered .end protruding slightlyrbeyond .the extremity of; the corresponding spring connector'17, 18.

.'In-a practical embodiment; lthe arcuate springzelements '15 and 16-may be of spring wire with gaugegf-OLOSOi-inch diameter and the tight woundcoil springzconnectors 17 and 18 may be of Wire of 0.012 inch .gaugeaitheconvolu- :tion of said coil spring havingvan outer 'diametenoiabout 0.070 inch and therefore aninner.fdiametergof'abontsOll inch, which it is seen is slightly smallerztha-nethezdiameter of 0.050 inch of the arcuate Wire membersliS-:andi

AThe outer, encompassing orimandrel ,'spring;-^r';.desir :ably has .an :inner diameter. thatvaords. ani adequate: clearfance' about theicomposite inner ring, rzfiwhich itrfencompasses. .To this. end, V.the outerormandrel springtmayrbe of1spring` Wire aboutOLSOn'nch .and 'in atcommercialiem- .bodiment.0.031 inch :in` diameter; woundnzconvolutions :spaced 18. to. the. Ainch in t a coil' ofxouterxdiameten ofiabout 0.140..inch,` and .therefore of .inner diametenofzabout 0.78 inch arid Vhencematerially largerthan `therati'`ghtlyzwvonnd spring connectors 17 and 18, Which;as.e.above=noted :have *.anlouter'diameterof 0.070.inch.

.For .anillustratively 75 millimeter. v size: of; diaphragm, .each of the arcuate spring members?15=and116amayhave '.a length ofabout 31/2 inchesandzeach of .thespring con- 'nectors 17: and 18 mayhave an oven-all lengthmf theitight `wound coil springs of about 1% inches,:.of.whichcapprox imately 5716 inch is-ftelescopedlat eachfend overz-theccorresponding4 taperedextremity .ofithei arcuate; Wire..lengthsje 15 and 16: that gare. connectedjthereby. '.:Thns .the-effective periphery of .the composite i inner if ring rvr2, ttwhenflcompletely. assembled inithe f embodiment zindicated,` Wouldbe -aboutf 8%.inches. Thexoven-allidength of the: outert-:or encompassing'rnandrehspring; 12; before .windingxwouid' be '..about 87/8 iinches.and;.after'intenthreadingo dtscends 13,

- 14would beV of `substantially exactlyLthe lengthfethe composite innerring which .itfencompasses Desirably suitable .markings,'illustrativelya. shownat 20, are appliedat diametricallyopposedportionsf oft thefiatex :diaphragm cup.: 10, J which. intervene .midway-between: the

- pair of spring .connectors 17.l and.18.

`best shown in Fig.7,'byppushingwdownward -andvback- .wards as far as-itfwill go,-and then releasing, which .causes the diaphragm toppenby:the resilienceof its rim, lso. .that the .innermost .rim portionbecomes, positioned .behind the cervixv 21. The .Ufbendatthefirontonouter end .ot the diaphragm is. then Yreadilytftipped blehind` the. pubic bone 22. Thus the 'diaphragm `is securdfin ,correctV position.

1It will eectively remainV` in placefunder/ allstresses, Ito

`which it may-"be placed" in' the normal movementot' the USB1'. YfThe diaphtagmis thusfintroduced byfthe -unaded -user 4 herseliand without the use of an instrument. By reason of the fact that the components of the composite inner ring Will permit no relative displacement of the arcuate wire elements 15, 16 and the spring connectors 17, 18 which have a snug frictional telescopic t, there will be no disconcerting clicking noise in insertion. The diaphragm is readily removed'by a deliberate effort of the user to that end,as is obvious, and this. also without assistance or the need for an instrument.

AvItfwill of courseibeg'understood, that for larger or smaller sizes. ofvdiaphragm,A theylengths of the respective springs and the .lengthsand curvature of the respective Aarcuate wire members would be correspondingly modified.

It will of course-be.;understood..that the dimensions above set forth, While directed to a commercial embodiment, are largely illustrative and may be varied to some extent.

.Therdiaphragm ;ofi.the:present. invention .is .thus `simple in construction, easy to insert, Without disconcerting clickingnoise or themecd;for.ancinstrument,,iti stays. securely in .correct.:po`si'tion Without undesired displacement, that its 1' elements :are connected Without welding, soldering, rivetsuorfzstapling,'.and'.the;diaphragm'can readily be re- ;-movedzby a deliberate effortfor that purpose .and canv be vreadilyivvashediorrepeated :re-.use without, impairment of its efficacy.

As "manycchangescould bermade in the. above. construction, vand manyuapparen'tly swidely.' different. embodiments off. thislzinventionf .couldxbe fmade. .withoutdeparting from the scope of the claims, itfis intended. thatall matter con- :.tainedaiinfsthef'above :description .or:.shown the accom- -panyingdravvings..` shall .bez interpretedias illustrative and .notinaxlimiting sense.

Having thus'describedmy invention what Lclaimas new andfdesire .to secure l.by Letters-Patent of the: United YStates'is:

1.YA".vaginaludiaphragmof vthevtype comprising a dippedLlatex cupnenclosing a flexible rim essentiallyl of metal, said .rimr ibeingfof typeto aforda bow-bend; the combination in which the rim comprises a composite inner `lring;.consistingof'a pair ofropposedzrelatively.stiff spring vwirearcuate members Withl .ends taperedsubstantially to a point and a pair of coil spring connectors vbet-Ween the respective ends of thefopposed spring yvvire members,'said spring connectors -being'ftelescoped at their ends over Vthe -tapered extremities of-the arcuate spring-Wire members for frictional hold with respect thereto, the springr con- `nectors .determining a substantial gap between the tapered extremities of the arcuate lWire members .which they connect, aI coi1.spring encompassing the'entirelcngth of -the composite inner ring, the opposed ends lof the encompassing coil spring-;being connectedtogether to form an endless annular coil spring.

.2. --Thecombinationrecitedin claim l in -Which each of f the two Lopposed arcuatespringwire members is of length in the order of 150 degrees and in `which each of the spring @connectors is of arcuatel length inthe order of- 45 degrees.

3. The combination recited in claim l in which each itapered -end ofN each-arcuate spring VWire member is in the order of one-fourth inch long and itspointed end is --relatively dully-andf'in -which the inner-diameter of the coilxspring'connectoris 'slightly less than the diameter of the arcuate wire Vmembers for secure frictional accom- .,modation .of the, tapered ends of such spring wire members Within the end turns of Vthe respective. connecting Y springs.

V4. The combination .recited in claim l in-v'vhicheacb :sp1-ing. connector of thev composite inner ring is a tight Wound.coilfspring Ahaving yan outer diameter in theorder of 10.070 -inch,the wire beingy of approximately 0.012 inch'=.gauge, :in-which'the arcuate spring wire membersare ofi gaugeinilthe iorderi of 0.05 0 inch,.and. in which the. encompassi-ng'spring isof gauge in the order of 0.030 inch -`Wound :in the Orderoi 18 turns per inch, the convolu tions 6 of said encompassing coil spring having an outer diameter 2,625,154 Young Jan. 13, 1953 in the order of 0.140 inch. 2,638,896 Clark May 19, 1953 2,664,082 Heuboski Dec. 29, 1953 References Cited in the le 0f this patent 2,67 6,589 Heuboski Apr. 27, 1954 UNITED STATES PATENTS 5 FOREIGN PATENTS. 1,949,863 Hay Mar. 6, 1934 Young June 224Y Great Britain NV. 9, 

